Owen Daniels had a career first — a practice without Gary Kubiak.

The Texans announce the firing of head coach Gary Kubiak at a press conference at Reliant Stadium.

The Texans announce the firing of head coach Gary Kubiak at a press conference at Reliant Stadium.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Bob McNair, owner of the Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his duties as head coach.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Rick Smith, Texans general manager, answers questions for the media after Bob McNair, owner of the Houston Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his head coach duties.

Rick Smith, Texans general manager, answers questions for the media after Bob McNair, owner of the Houston Texans, announces that Gary Kubiak is relieved of his head coach duties.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Owen Daniels had a career first — a practice without Gary Kubiak.

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Tight end Owen Daniels said Monday “was a sad day for me” after he returned to work following coach Gary Kubiak’s firing.

Daniels, a fourth-round pick in 2006 in Kubiak’s first draft as the Texans’ head coach, and Andre Johnson are the only Texans left from Kubiak’s first season. Johnson wasn’t made available.

“I’ve been with (Kubiak) my whole eight years here,” Daniels said. “He’s the most classy and respectful guy you’ll meet. It’s tough from my perspective. You know how much we’re around each other. We’ve seen each other damn near every day for eight years.”

Daniels said he “let the dust settle over the weekend so (Kubiak) could deal with family things” but added, “I definitely want to have a nice talk with him.”

Left tackle Duane Brown called Kubiak “a great mentor and a great coach to me” and said the Texans share the responsibility for his being fired.

Defensive end Antonio Smith called the coaching change “a part of football.”

And from J.J. Watt: “Obviously, I had a great amount of respect for coach Kubiak. I’m very thankful for the opportunity that he gave me. He’s a great man. That’s one thing you can always say about coach Kubiak is that he’s a great man. He always handled himself with class, always did things the right way and went about things the right way. And I don’t think you’ll meet anybody who’s worked with him that’ll say otherwise.”

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Week 17: Titans 16, Texans 10

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) kneels on the field.

Week 17: Titans 16, Texans 10

Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) kneels on the field.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (41) asks the official if he can keep the ball after scoring his first career touchdown.

Texans running back Jonathan Grimes (41) asks the official if he can keep the ball after scoring his first career touchdown.

Texans cornerback Kareem Jackson (25) slams Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) to the turf in overtime. Jackson was penalized for a personal foul on the play, giving the Seahawks a first down. ( Brett ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled on the sidelines by Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) in overtime. Shaprton was called for a horse collar penalty on the play. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is tackled on the sidelines by Texans inside linebacker Darryl Sharpton (51) in overtime. Shaprton was called for a horse collar penalty on the play. ( Brett Coomer / ... more